Look at nearly any preschool, elementary school or childcare center that has a train table and you are likely to see 4 letters, "Brio," somewhere upon them. Well known for its railway play the company offers a wide variety of classically-styled toys and innovative new products beyond their Brio train toys. Made from wood and other natural fibers these classic toys are sure to stimulate the imagination of any child-- as well as parents.
While their trains are recognizable to many parents and childcare providers, less immediately identifiable are the other classic toys made by the company. Brio offers a wide variety of toys for early childhood that stimulate the imagination and are easier on the pocketbook than parents may initially think.
Purchasing a large set of Brio train toys at one time may be cost prohibitive, running around $100 or more. Purchasing toys individually is far easier and can become an anticipated event at holidays and birthdays.
- One of the most attractive options is “Sampo,” a simple dog toy first introduced in 1945 that costs $10.
- They offer many whimsical “Push Along” and “Pull Along” toys that are reasonably priced and come in appealing colors. One interesting option is the “Ant With Egg Pull Along,” which has an amusing springy head to the ant which can carry the golden egg.
The company has also taken the classic toys concept beyond toy trains and brought it into the 21st Century with its innovative, “Network” line of rail toys. Says the website's Network page, “BRIO Network is an original world of rail play that features the imaginary creatures who live inside your computer.” The wooden toys feature a more modern look than many of the toys, but still are visually identifiable as belonging to the Brio brand. While introducing computer and technological concepts to children in early education the toys do not need to be connected to a computer in any way to play.
Other toys in the “Network” line introduce concepts such as recycling and CD burning in ways that will still work with other classic Brio train toys and function on a simplistic level. This system also will appeal to modern children who are used to more electronically-oriented toys because Brio has added lights and sounds to this line. Despite this, the toys are of a more thoughtful nature than many modern toys.
Brio wooden toys are often appealing to early childhood teachers and daycare providers because they simply and creatively teach concepts such as magnetism (the train cars connect via magnets) imagination and cooperative play. This focus is also seen in the corporation’s sister brands K’Nex and Lincoln Logs.
Carrie Henderson Weston - Carrie Henderson Weston is a writer from Kalamazoo, Michigan who has found herself living in the big city of Minneapolis, MN. Formerly she ...
